Washington, D.C. — Today, Indivisible’s co-executive director Ezra Levin released the following statement in reaction to officers’ second shooting, and killing, of a person in Minneapolis this month:
“CBP has murdered another person in Minneapolis, in broad daylight, on video. This was not an accident or an isolated incident. There is no finger-pointing or spin Trump and Republicans can put on this to convince anyone otherwise. This is murder – just like we saw with Renee Good.
“Yesterday, Minnesotans showed up in subzero temperatures in a powerful, nonviolent massive protest against ICE and CBP’s violent occupation of the city. Immigration officers responded today by murdering another citizen. This is the predictable, tragic outcome of allowing a violent, unaccountable secret police force to operate in our communities and then continuing to fund it.
“We need our leaders to stand up to this lawlessness and violence, and Congress has the chance to do that this week. Last week, House Democratic leadership failed to whip the DHS funding vote, and the seven House Democrats who voted in favor of additional funding for Trump’s goon squad should hang their heads in shame. But it’s not over – Senate Democrats can stop this ICE and CBP funding bill.
“Any Democratic senator who votes this week to give the DHS more money paves the way for more violence from ICE and CBP in more peaceful communities. Senator Schumer should whip his caucus to fully oppose this bill, and every Democratic senator should vote no on any funding package that gives ICE and CBP one more dollar. Senators must use their leverage to rein in ICE and CBP, and protect their constituents. This isn’t left versus right; this is democracy versus autocracy. And any elected Democrat on the wrong side of that line should be thrown out of the party.
“Our hearts are with the people of Minneapolis, and every single person living in the shadows of fear because of this regime. What we’re all seeing unfold in Minneapolis this month underscores a truth immigrant communities have been living with for years: ICE and CBP are unchecked agencies that are terrorizing communities.
“Yesterday, hundreds of businesses in Minneapolis joined over 75,000 peaceful protesters for a general strike to call for ICE and CBP to leave their communities. Indivisible stands in solidarity with immigrant communities and brave people across Minneapolis who are standing up for their neighbors. We demand an end to ICE and CBP’s lawlessness, and support the state of Minnesota in calling for its own independent investigation and prosecution of this case.”
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